emergency towing Ram 1500 2019 Owner's Manual

•With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake
and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), select TOW/HAUL mode or use
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer to
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation in this section for
further information) to select a lower gear range. Under
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ............435
 ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED . . . .436
 BULB REPLACEMENT ....................441
▫ Replacement Bulbs .....................441
▫ Replacing Exterior Bulbs ..................442
 FUSES ............................... .449
▫ Power Distribution Center ................450
▫ Internal Power Distribution Center ..........454
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ...........459
▫ Jack Location ......................... .459
▫ Removal Of Jack And Tools ................460
▫ Removing The Spare Tire .................463
▫ Preparations For Jacking ..................466 ▫
Jacking Instructions .....................466
▫ To Stow The Flat Or Spare ................470
▫ Reinstalling The Jack And Tools .............473
 JUMP STARTING ....................... .474
▫ Preparations For Jump Start ...............475
▫ Jump Starting Procedure ..................476
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .............477
 MANUAL PARK RELEASE .................478
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ..............480
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............481
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models .................483
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models .................483
▫ Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ........484
7

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled
vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recre-
ational Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section. NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the Active-Level Four Cor-
ner Air Suspension System must be placed in Transport
mode, before tying them down (from the body) on a trailer
or flatbed truck. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Trans-
port mode (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs
must be fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to
follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set
and/or cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 481

Refer toActive-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System
— If Equipped inStarting And Operating for more
information.
Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF The Ground 2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 30 miles (48 km) maxdistance See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting And Operating”
•
Automatic Transmission in PARK
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift
Or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK
for towing.
482 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels on
the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
NOTE: Refer to Manual Park Release in this section for
instructions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL
when the engine is OFF.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels
OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or
with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position)
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward
direction, with ALLwheels on the ground), IFthe transfer
case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission is in PARK.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 483

Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operat-
ing” for further information and detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the
remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal dam-
age to the transmission or transfer case will occur if
a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System (EARS) function.
484 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Disable Vehicle Towing..................... .481
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................516
Disturb ................................. .667
Door Ajar ............................... .183
Door Ajar Light ........................... .183
Door Locks Automatic ..............................41
Doors ....................................35
Drag And Drop Menu ...................... .569
Driver ’s Seat Back Tilt ........................43
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ .430
Dual Rear Wheels ......................... .557
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .127
Electric Brake Control System ..................199
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................198
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...............202, 207
Electric Parking Brake ...................... .300
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ..........314, 318
Electronic Range Select (ERS)..................312
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........340
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............203Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light
.........182
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................480
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................435
Jump Starting .......................... .474
Emission Control System Maintenance ............195
Engine ................................. .494
Air Cleaner ............................ .501
Block Heater ........................... .299
Break-In Recommendations .................299
Compartment ....................494, 495, 496
Compartment Identification ...........494, 495, 496
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .564
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................285, 562
Fails To Start ........................... .298
Flooded,

Starting ........................ .298
Fuel Requirements ....................558, 563
Jump Starting .......................... .474
Oil ........................... .499, 563, 564
Oil Filler Cap ....................... .494, 500
Oil Filter .............................. .501
Oil Selection ........................ .499, 563
Oil Synthetic ........................... .500
Overheating ........................... .477
Starting .............................. .294
12
INDEX 683